Syllabus for Economics 202 - Principles of Microeconomics
Instructor: Dr. Dennis P. Wilson Spring 2012
Lectures: Section 004: TTh 9:35 – 10:55 Grise Hall 235
Office: 423 Grise Hall Web: people.wku.edu/dennis.wilson
Phone: 5-2632 E-Mail: dennis.wilson@wku.edu
Office Hours: TTh 11:00-12 or by appointment
Course Objectives or Goals
This course will provide an introduction to the principles of microeconomics. We will consider the basic
tools of economic theory used to study markets, role of incentives, tradeoffs, and the behavior of firms. We
will examine how markets work and how supply and demand interact to determine prices in both domestic
and international markets. We will also study what happens when markets fail and the role of the
government in market activity. The economic tools that are acquired in this course are used by managers in
the business sector, policy makers in the government sector, and economic researchers in the academic
arena. Students successfully completing this course should leave with an understanding of these basic
economic principles and their applicability to real world situations. You should also be able to incorporate
the tools of marginal economic analysis into your own decision-making processes.
This course will help the student become more aware of the ethical issues in business and society. This
course will enhance your ability to solve problems through critical, reflective, and integrative thinking. This
course will facilitate awareness of the global business environment.
Text
All students are required to have a text book for this course. In addition all students are strongly suggested
to acquire a Study Guide associated with a known text book (thought the text and guide need not match).
My suggestion:
Microeconomics: Principles, Applications, and Tools by O’Sullivan, Sheffrin, & Perez
-- The current edition is the 6th, but earlier editions are acceptable
Grading System
Your final grade for the course is tentatively based on a maximum of 400 available points, distribution of
these points are given below. Letter grades will be determined on a 10 percentage points-scale:
A: 100 – 90%
B: 90 – 80%
C: 80 – 70%
D: 70 – 60%
F: 60 - below
First, there will be 6 in class quizzes, each worth 50 points. The lowest of these 6 quizzes will be dropped.
These short quizzes will thus count toward 250 points of the course. There will be NO MAKE-UPS of
these quizzes available. If this is a problem for you as a student, there are other sections of this course
available for you to take.
Second, there is a cumulative final exam worth 150 points at a time determined by the University’s
guidelines.
Quiz Handouts
There will be six semester quizzes to be given on the following dates:
February 7 February 23 March 20
April 3 April 17 May 1
Quizzes and the final exam will consist of some combination of multiple choice and short answer, essay,
and graphical analysis questions.
Makeup for the Final Exam
Makeup for the final exam is given ONLY for excused absences or if the student has obtained the
instructor’s PRIOR approval. If you miss the final exam with an unexcused absence you will receive a zero
for that exam. The University defines the following as excused absences: illness of the student or serious
illness of a member of the student’s immediate family; death of a member of the student’s immediate
family; university sponsored trips; or major religious holidays. In each case, written verification will be
required and permission to miss the final exam must be secured before the scheduled exam time unless the
cause of the absence is unforeseen. IF YOU MISS AN EXAM YOU SHOULD CONTACT ME AS
SOON AS YOU ARE PHYSICALLY ABLE TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL ME.
Grievance Procedure
Anyone feeling that a dispute exists after the grading of any assignment or exam may submit a written
grievance. This grievance should identify the item in dispute and arguments supporting the student’s
position. Grievances must be submitted in writing within two class periods following the return of the
assignment. The instructor agrees to return a written response to the student’s grievance within two class
periods from receipt of the grievance.
Cheating
Cheating is in no way tolerated at the Western Kentucky University. Anyone caught cheating will be
penalized severely. The full penalty will be determined in consultation with the Chairman of the
Department of Economics and Dean of the College of Business. The minimum penalty is an “F” for the
course.
Practice Assignments
Completing practice assignments is a vital means to assist you in learning the material. Practice
assignments provide feedback to you about your personal level of understanding and feedback to me about
the overall level of understanding in the class.
Course Expectations
Students are expected to read assigned material prior to class and participate in class discussion and
projects. Do not be afraid to participate and if you have a question, never let it go unanswered. If you do
not get an opportunity to ask your question during class, stop by during my office hours or contact me via
e-mail.
I will not take roll, however consistent attendance is essential for acceptable performance in the course.
Many students find economic concepts difficult to grasp. Missing class will only make the process of
absorbing this material more difficult. I will also present material in class that may not be found in the text.
If you find yourself falling behind or having problems with the material, I encourage you to come to me for
assistance or visit the economic tutor.
Behavior
1. Late Arriving: If you are no more than 5 minutes late for class, you are welcome to enter the
classroom. However, I strongly suggest that you quickly and quietly be seated at the nearest space
available. If you are later than 5 minutes, do not enter the classroom.
2. Private Conversations: This behavior is rude to your classmates who would like to hear the lecture, it
makes it very difficult for me to concentrate as I conduct class (not to mention it angers me), and will not
be tolerated. Violators will be asked to leave, repeat offenders will not be allowed back.
3. Cell Phones: All cell phones should be turned off before entering class. If you fail to do so and it rings
during class, do not answer it. Simply, gather your things, leave quickly and quietly, and return for the
next class period. Repeat offenders will not be allowed back.
4. Leaving Early: If you cannot attend the entire class, please do not attend. If nature calls so loudly that
you must answer, please gather your things, leave quietly, and return for the next class period.
Drop Policy
It is the student’s responsibility to complete the course or withdraw from the course in accordance with University Regulations.
Students are strongly encouraged to verify their grade status before dropping a course after the first withdrawal date. A student who
drops a course after the first withdrawal date may receive an “F” in the course if the student is failing at the time the course is dropped.
College Policy
Students who have not paid by the census date and are dropped for non-payment cannot receive a grade for the course in any
circumstances. Therefore a student dropped for non-payment who continues to attend the course will not receive a grade for the
course. Emergency loans are available to help students pay tuition and fees. College policy prohibits food and/or drinks in
classrooms and labs. Anyone bringing food and/or drinks into a classroom or lab will be required to remove such items, as directed by
the class instructor or lab supervisor.
Americans with Disabilities Act
In compliance with university policy, students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary
aids or services) for this course just contact the Office for Student Disability Services in DUC A-200 of the Student Success Center in
Downing University Center. The OFSDS telephone number is (270)745-5004 V/TDD. Please DO NOT request accommodations
directly from the professor or instructor without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services.
Course Outline: Students should relate these topics to the specific text which they have acquired
Topic
I. The Language of Economics
II. Types of Economies and Economic Systems and Institutions
III. The Graph – Tool of the Economist: A Math Review
IV. Production Possibility Frontiers – Opportunity Costs and Efficiency
V. The Market Economy – Supply and Demand
Consumer and Producer Surplus
VI. Elasticity of Supply and Demand
VII. Individual Choice: The Theory Behind Demand
VIII. Theory of the Firm: Supply Production, and Costs
IX. Perfect Competition
X. Monopoly
XI. Monopolistic Competition, Oligopoly, and Strategic Pricing
XII. Wage and Interest Determination
XIII. The Government in the Economy
Final Exam: Section 004 – Thursday, May 10 - 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.